Pushing Rope

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Codepink At the RNC

I saw Code Pink the two days I helped TheContributor.com cover the Republican National Convention. Code Pinks was able to sneak into The Tampa Bay Times Forum and disrupt Paul Ryan's speech.

Code Pink managed to sneak into Condeleezza Rice's speech in Ybor City and stage a mock arrest. I wasn't even allowed to stand outside the entrance of the building. Code Pink gets in. These women are ninjas.

My favorite Code Pink protest is the members dressed as vaginas. You can tell how comfortable people are with their own sexuality by how they deal with seeing women dress as giant vaginas. I find it clever and amusing. Conservatives are repulsed.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The RNC Freedom Files - Sheriff Joe Arpaio

I worked for The Contributor today. We ran into Sheriff Joe Arpaio at the Republican National Convention. Sheriff Joe let us know that he the sheriff of Arizona. Freedom asked most of the questions. I asked the Sheriff of Arizona about the Justice Department complaint filed against him.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Paul Ryan on Abortion

“I’m very proud of my pro-life record, and I’ve always adopted the idea that, the position that the method of conception doesn’t change the definition of life."

Paul Ryan, making it clear he does not believe that women should be allowed to get abortions in the case of rape and incest.

I'm glad that Ryan didn't duck the question. This gives women a clear choice between a man who would legally exercise complete control over women's bodies and President Obama. The platform for the Republican National Convention makes no exceptions for women to have abortions. Romney is attempting to downplay his party's abortion position and accuse Democrats of making political hay. That doesn't explain why Romney is allowing his party to write a platform that outlaw abortion. Even when the woman's life is at risk.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Shocker: Charlie Crist Endorses Obama

Former Gov. Charlie Crist has endorsed President Barack Obama in a Tampa Bay Times op-ed. Crist makes a good case for Obama. Something the Romney campaign hasn't been able to do for their guy.

President Obama invested in our children's schools because he believes a good education is a necessity, not a luxury, if we're going to create an economy built to last. He supported more than 400,000 K-12 teachers' jobs, and he is making college more affordable and making student loans, like the ones he took out, easier to pay back.

He invested in our runways, railways and roads. President Obama knows a reliable infrastructure that helps move people to work and helps businesses move goods to market is a foundation of growth.

And the president invested in our retirement security by strengthening Medicare. The $716 billion in savings his opponents decry today extended the life of the program by nearly a decade and are making sure taxpayer dollars aren't wasted in excessive payments to insurance companies or fraud and abuse. His opponents would end the Medicare guarantee by creating a voucher that would raise seniors' costs by thousands of dollars and bankrupt the program.

In 2006, Crist would have said that the answer to all problems was another round of tax cuts. Crist's ouster from the GOP has either made him more rationale or opportunistic. Properly a little of both.

Crist mentions his famous hug with Obama. Crist claims he was putting country first. One gets the sense that Crist his still mad at Marco Rubio for attacking the famous hugging moment. For the record: Florida's economy was hurting and needex the stimulus dolkars. I don't blame Crist for taking the money. Floridians pay federal taxes. Gov. Rick Scott turned down the high-speed rail money and those dollars went to other states.

One man in the audience asked him what he would do about President Obama's "birth certificate" and whether he could legally appear on the 2012 ballot in Florida - referring to now-debunked skepticism from the 2008 presidential race among some conservatives that he was actually born in Hawaii. "I'll have to look into it," Scott said.

Progressive Events Held During the RNC

The Republican National Convention will take over downtown Tampa next week. Progress Florida has a list of lefty events that will be held that week.

Sunday, August 26th

Lecture: "Mass Media: Enemy or Tool?" Sponsored by Food Not Bombs World Gathering Café Hey 1540 N. Franklin St. Tampa 2:00pm Lecture and discussion led by Dr. David Z. Morris of USF Dept. of Communications.

"Patients Over Politics" Bus Tour Kick-Off Sponsored by Doctors for America Outside Tropicana Field 1700 block of 1st St. N in St. Petersburg 4:30pm-5:300pm To show support for our new benefits gained under the landmark health care reform law, ObamaCares. Bus tour kicks off in Tampa with several Tampa Bay event stops and then heads to the Democratic convention in Charlotte, NC. Check for updates and more specific locations here: www.drsforamerica.org/take-action/patientsoverpolitics

Community Vigil and March on the "RNC Kick-Off Party" at the Tropicana Field Sponsored by Florida Consumer Action Network (FCAN) Mirror Lake Drive (in front of Mirror Lake Lyceum) St. Petersburg 5:30-8:30pm Local faith leaders from the Tampa Bay area will convene a gathering concerned citizens to raise awareness of the disparities of the policies that hurt the middle-class and the 99%. RSVP on Facebook

Monday, August 27th

March On The RNC Sponsored by the Coalition to March on the RNC Perry Harvey Sr. Park 1200 N. Orange Ave Tampa 10:00am We will begin with our 10am rally at Perry Harvey Sr. Park, located at 1200 N. Orange Ave in Tampa, FL. After the speakers greet the crowd and our Coalition assembles, we will begin our march towards the RNC going on at the Tampa Bay Times Forum around noon. On Facebook www.marchonthernc.com

Melting Middle Class Ice Sculpture Sponsored by Morning In America and artists Nora Ligorano and Marshall Reese Lykes Gaslight Park 401 N. Franklin St. Tampa 10:00am Morning in America plans to install a 2,000 pound, 4ft. tall by 15 ft. wide ice sculpture of the words "middle class." This event is a photo-video shoot documenting the installation, presentation and disappearance of an ice sculpture. The event continues until the ice disappears, which could take from 6 to 24 hours. Republicans cheering on the melting of the ice and/or hedging bets on the rate of middle class disintegration could happen in reality or metaphor. www.meltedaway.com

Panel Discussion: "Is This What Democracy Looks Like?" Sponsored by Awake Pinellas Studio@620 620 1st Avenue South St. Petersburg 6:30-8:00pm Panel discussion with Ruth Conniff, political editor of The Progressive magazine, Dr. Judithanne Scourfield-Maclaughlin of USF, and Arun Gupta of Occupy Wall Street Journal. These progressive journalists will discuss the state of democracy in Florida, Wisconsin, and the nation. Moderated by Progress Florida's Darden Rice. Cost: $5 to support Studio@620 RSVP on Facebook

Tuesday, August 28th

Intergenerational Roundtable Sponsored by Young Invincibles 10:30-11:30am Centro Asturiano de Tampa 1913 N. Nebraska Ave. Tampa We want to hear from you about your generation's biggest problems and what you'd do to solve them. Students, seniors, and all members of the community are invited. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Susan McManus, the author of Young vs. Old, NBC political analyst, and Professor at the University of South Florida. RSVP to sam.whappel@younginvincibles.org or call 301-655-4031. Tweet using #CanYouHearMeNow

Rock The Vote! Road Trip 2012 Sponsored by Rock the Vote 11:00am-3:00 pm St. Leo University 33701 State Road 52 Rock the Vote Road Trip Bus is heading our way! They will be pulling up and unloading at Saint Leo University for an awesome event that will include live music, voter registration, and tons of interactive activations. Make sure you stop by and register to vote, get your picture snapped, grab some free stuff, groove to music, and loads more! Learn More

Rally Against Voter Suppression at the RNC Sponsored by Florida Consumer Action Network (FCAN) 5:00pm Centennial Park in Historic Ybor City 1800 East 8th Avenue Tampa As the Republicans gather for their party in Tampa this August, we will be standing up for the most fundamental American right: the right to vote. RSVP On Facebook

Tampa Wonkette Drinky Thing and Meetup Sponsored by Wonkette Starts 6:00-7:00ish MacDinton’s 405 S. Howard Avenue Organizers say, “We might let some Republicans into our Wonkette Drinky thing, but only if they are shirtless.” MacDinton’s is an Irish pub with many choices of fried things and beer.

Rock the Youth Vote with Steve Aoki Sponsored by Rock The Vote 6:00-8:00pm Amphitheater 1609 E. 8th Ave in Ybor City Celebrating the power of the youth vote and the right to vote. Celebrate the recent court decision that protects voting rights in Florida! Ages 18+. RSVP for tickets and get info here: rockthevote.tumblr.com/rsvp

Wednesday, August 29th

Rally of ‘Women Are Watching’ Against the RNC Sponsored by Planned Parenthood Action Fund 2:00-3:30 pm Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park 1001 North Boulevard, Tampa Women are Watching is Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s 2012 campaign to educate women across the country about the unprecedented attacks on women’s health and where candidates stand on pivotal health care issues, empower women to hold anti-women’s health candidates of either party accountable, and work to elect pro-women’s health candidates up and down the ballot. Contact: wendy.grassi@plannedparenthood.org

“Welcome to Mitt Romney’s America” Parade Sponsored by AFL-CIO Tampa official parade route The event is called “Welcome to Mitt Romney’s America” and will look a lot like a carnival but will showcase what will happen to America if he is elected President in November. Contact: Cheryl Schroder at 813-368-7124 or cschroeder@wcffl.org or Joshua Anijar at 850-228-9841 or janijar@flaflcio.org.

Thursday, August 30th

Patients over Politics Rally and Parade Sponsored by Doctors for America 2:00-5:00pm Lykes Gaslight Square Park 401 N. Franklin St. Tampa Show your support for the Affordable Care Act. Check for updates and more specific locations here: www.drsforamerica.org/take-action/patientsoverpolitics.

Friday, August 31st

Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman Fundraiser for WMNF 88.5 FM Sponsored by WMNF 88.5 FM Community Radio 6:30pm Reception, 8:00pm Talk The Palladium 253 5th Street N. St Petersburg VIP reception at 6:30 is $80 and includes book signing. Advance tickets for talk at 8:00 are $10. $15 at the door. Purchase tickets either from wmnf.org or the Palladium http://www.spcollege.edu/palladiu

Mitt Romney in Desperation Mode

A sure sign of a losing campaign is when Mitt Romney goes after President Obama's birth certificate.

"Now I love being home in this place where Ann and I were raised, where both of us were born. Ann was born in Henry Ford Hospital. I was born in Harper Hospital," Romney said, continuing: "No one's ever asked to see my birth certificate. They know that this is the place that we were born and raised."

Naturally, the crowd cheers. So much for Romney's talking point that he wants to talk about the economy.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Dogs Against Romney At Lykes Gaslight Park

Mitt Romney is coming to Tampa to accept the Republican nomination. Dogs Against Romney are set to welcome Romney.

Tampa, FL – In recognition of ‘National Dog Day’ and on the eve of the kickoff of the National Republican Convention, join ‘Dogs Against Romney’ on August 26 at 3pm at Lykes Gaslight Park at the corner of Kennedy and Tampa for a press conference unveiling ‘The Crate Escape: Seamus Unleashed.’ A video game initially for iPhones and iPads, ‘Crate Escape’ promotes kindness to all animals by satirizing Mitt Romney’s infamous family trip to Canada in which he coldly strapped his poor dog Seamus to the hood of his car for 12 hours, despite it falling ill in the middle of the torturous journey. Crate Escape comes on the heels an in conjunction with a new song by New Wave music legends DEVO immortalizing Romney
WHAT: On ‘National Dog Day’ and on the Eve of the National Republican Convention, ‘Dogs Against Romney’ to Hold Press Conference Unveiling New ‘Crate Escape: Seamus Unleashed’ iPhone App.

Food Not Bombs at Tampa RNC

WUSF reports that Food Not Bombs will be feeding protesters during the Republican National Convention. Food Not Bombs will be at Voice of Freedom Park during the convention.

Food Not Bombs founder John McHenry told WUSF that the Tampa RNC was chosen for their world gathering because of Florida's strict anti-homeless laws. Food Not Bombs have had several run-ins with law enforcement for feeding the homeless in public parks. Apparently, the parks are public until someone tries to feed homeless people.

Voice of Freedom Park is owned by Joe Redner, the owner of Mons Venus and liberal activist. Redner is currently letting Occupy Tampa use the park. The Tampa Police Department is forcing Redner to evict Occupy Tampa by September 15th.

"I am not making them leave," Redner says. "The city was kicking protesters out of public parks downtown. They were being harassed and getting put in jail. I thought I was doing the city a favor by letting them stay at my park, but I know they can't stay forever."

Redner also said that the Occupiers have caused no problems for the surrounding communities. The area near Voice of Freedom Park is poor. Occupy Tampa is hardly dropping the property values.

Litbrit on the Nicole Sandler Show

Radio host Nicole Sandler interviews Litbrit about the civil liberty violations of the TSA scans and searches. Litbrit is a contributor to TSA News. The interview starts around the 30 minute mark of the show.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Salt Shaker - A Short Film

This is a 1993 short movie directed by Andy Grund. It stars Greg Dulli (of the Afghan Whigs) and Kathy Hendrickson. The film mocks pretentious art and has a sick plot twist. I ended up loving this movie.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Mitt Romney in Class Warfare Mode

“If you look at the ads that have been described and the divisiveness based upon income, age, ethnicity and so forth,” Romney said in the quote of the day, “it’s designed to bring a sense of enmity and jealously and anger… the president seems to be running just to hang on to po http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/09/06/romneys-economists-brains-but-also-controversy/ wer. I think he’ll do anything in his power to try and get re-elected.”

It is amusing Romney should use this argument. Romney selected Paul Ryan as his VP candidate. Ryan peppers his speeches with talk of "makers" and "takers."

"We're coming close to a tipping point in America where we might have a net majority of takers versus makers in society and that could become very dangerous if it sets in as a permanent condition. Because what we will end up doing is we will convert our safety net system — which is necessary I believe to help people who can’t themselves, to help people who are down on their luck get back onto their feet — into a hammock that ends up lulling people into lives of dependency and complacency which drains them of their incentive and the will to make the most of their lives."

Glenn Hubbard, a member of of Romney's economic team advocated cuts in Medicare and Social Security in a Wall Street Journal oped. Hubbard was a member of the George W. Bush economic team that destroyed the surplus left by President Clinton. Hubbard went against Treasury Sec. Paul O'Neill's wishes and pushed for the 2003 tax cuts.
>P>
Romney can hardly be accused of surrounding himself with people concerned about the plight of the common man.

Operation Safe

Operation Safe helps children that have been through unspeakable hardships.

OperationSAFE helps children recover from trauma through art, play, story and friendship in places where care is not readily available. We need your help to raise awareness.

It has been one year since the 3.11 disasters in Japan. We have mobilized over 2000 volunteers, and brought over 3.5 million dollars of relief to survivors. We have also brought new hope to children who have lost everything to the tsunami.

Operation Safe is asking you to donate a tweet. Write a brief discription with the link http://JustCoz.org/operationSAFE in the tweet.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Sheldon Adelson: Florida GOP Sugar Daddy

Las Vegas casino king Sheldon Adelson double-downed on his $250,000 contribution to Gov. Rick Scott’s political committee by giving the same amount to the state’s Republican Party in June, according to campaign finance reports released Friday.

Side note: no word on if Adelson will accept Sarah Silverman's swissoring offer. Silverman has promised to perform the swissoring sexual position on Adelson, if the casino billionaire gives $100 million to the Obama campaign.

Friday Cat Blogging

Thursday, August 09, 2012

More Jessica Ehrlich Endorsements

Democratic congressional candidate Jessica Ehrlich has secured the endorsements of AFL-CIO, AFSCME, SEIU and the Teamsters. Incumbant Bill Young made his infamous "get a job" comment, after he was asked if he supports raising the minimun wage. It is easy to see why unions have flocked to Ehrlich.

Ehrlich on the endorsements.

“I’m humbled to have the support of the AFL-CIO, AFSCME, SEIU and the Teamsters. Across America, working families are under attack. Bill Young continues to focus on ways to further burden the middle. Young thinks we can’t afford to invest in our future and the middle class, I think we can’t afford not to. In congress, I will represent every hardworking man, woman, and family in Pinellas County. It’s time we had a representative in Washington who will fight to expand the middle class, not let it get squeezed out.”

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Quote of the Day

"They may be a Kansas business, they may be the biggest company run by a single family, but they need to be asking the question "What can we do for Kansas?" and not "What can Kansas do for us?" Koch Industries is just a terrible, terrible citizen as far as I'm concerned. I think Koch Industries has done a major disservice to the state of Kansas."

Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Quote of the Day

"When a campaign starts up with the welfare line of attack you know they're scraping bottom... "

Charles M. Blow, New York Times columnist, on Mitt Romney's ad accusing President Barack Obama valuing welfare over hard work. You know the ad is bad when the Fox News website points out falsehoods in the spot.

Under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, states must engage at least half of their TANF families in work for a minimum number of hours each month. States can lose federal funding if they don't. The states have some discretion to determine who must work and what activities count as work.

The Obama administration said in the letter that it would consider granting waivers from work participation requirements for an array of projects, but that it would not approve any waiver likely to reduce access to employment.

Rick Scott At the Republican National Convention

Scott Arceneaux, Executive Director of the Florida Democratic Party sent this email to the media.

With 52 percent of Florida voters disapproving of the job Gov. Rick Scott has done, Florida Democrats are happy to hear that Scott has received a speaking slot at the Republican National Convention. After all, who better than Rick "Toxic" Scott to serve as the face of Florida Republicans while the whole world is watching. And with his record of putting the Tea Party and corporate special interests ahead of middle class families, Scott is the perfect spokesman to explain how he shares Mitt Romney's vision for Florida, and our country.

It was uncertain if Scott was going to speak at the convention. Not having Scott speak would have been embarrassing. Scott is the governor of the state hosting the Republican National Convention. Scott not speaking would have forced the GOP to acknowledge how unpopular he is as a governor. Lord knows the Republican establishment never let reality interfere with their narrative.

Obama on 'Romney Hood'

Monday, August 06, 2012

Anti-Gay Protest Fail

General Mills has come out in support of gay marriage. This anti-gay protester decided to voice his disapproval by burning Cheerios. The man ends with a fire he can't put out. Does anyone need more proof on the stupidity of bigots?

Jessica Ehrlich Endorsements

NOW has endorsed Democratic congressional candidate Jessica Ehrlich.

NOW National is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States with over 500,000 members and 550 chapters in all 50 states. Founded in 1966, NOW, fights for equality for all women all sectors of society including the workplace, schools and the justice system.

The LGBT right group the Stonewall Democrats have also endorsed Ehrlich

The Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County are dedicated to advancing the cause of equality for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity. Jessica Ehrlich has received the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats because of her tireless commitment to advancing equality and civil rights.

The Democratic Party needs candidates and elected officials to stand up for civil rights. I can guarantee that incumbant Bill Young will do nothing to promote equality and hustice. Young's civil rights record is a disgrace.

Florence & The Machine ft. Josh Homme - Jackson (MTV Unplugged)

Friday Cat Blogging

I have blogged previously about the cheetah cub and puppy at Busch Gardens. They are all grown up now.

In other news: blogger Kevin Drum was the first to start the Friday cat blogging series. His cat Inkblot died. Drum is taking a hiatus from cat blogging. Our thoughts go out to Kevin. He really loved Inkblot.

Rick Scott Mum on Absentee Voter Fraud Reform

Republican consultant Rick Wilson tweeted about voter fraud on Twitter. I gave Wilson a poke by asking what he wants to do about absentee voter fraud. Voters at polling stations had to provide a Florida ID. Absentee voters do not have to produce an ID in a face-to-face meeting with poll workers. Wilson did not respond to my tweet.

I asked Wilson this question because establishment Republicans have no interest in actual voting fraud reform. If you wanted to illegally vote, an absentee ballot is the easiest way to do it. Mind you, I don't think their is massive absentee voter fraud. I merely wanted to put Republicans on the spot about their sincerity about voter fraud reform.

Fortunately, the media asked Gov. Rick Scott about what he wants to to about absentee voter reform. Like the terrible politician he is, Scott suddenly had marbles in his mouth. According to Naked Politics, Scott became very "vague" about alleged absentee voter fraud. Scott's spokesman (possibly Lane Wright) only allowed a few questions on absentee voter fraud. Scott's spokesman cut the Q & A short and whisked the governor away.

Republicans have no interest in absentee voter fraud reform. The reason being is the majority of absentee voters are registered Republicans. The people disenfranchised by Scott's dubious voting reforms college students, minorities and the poor. Anyone notice to people hardest hit by the changes in the voting laws aren't likely to vote for Rick Scott.

RNC Strip Club Update

Litbrit and I have discussed filming Republicans behaving badly at strip clubs during the Republican National Convention. We even contacted Occupy Tampa to see if they will help. (Does anyone at Occupy Tampa answer their email.) It seems that the Republican establishment is concerned about their members appearing on Youtube.

House Republicans are officially worried that lawmakers and staffers will stray off the straight-and-narrow path at the GOP convention in Tampa this month.

With the advent of cell phones, anyone can be an opposition tracker, so members should be wary of doing anything in public, Rep. Pete Sessions, the National Republican Congressional Committee chairman, warned fellow Republican at the Capital Hill meeting Wednesday.

Republicans in the House are so worried that they will hold several ethics briefings. This is most likely aimed at the freshman Republican representatives and staffers that got into office courting the Christian Right tea party vote. This says much about the GOP's social conservative credentials.

I continue to encourage people to film Republicans going to the Tampa strip clubs during the convention. They won't be hard to spot. They will be goofy-looking, either wearing suits or dressed in bad tourist garb. Let's make these Republicans Youtube stars.

Jenna Jameson Endorses Mitt Romney

First there was the Kid Rock endorsement. of Mitt Romney. The Republican nominee was then endorsed by Ted Nugent. Rock made a sex tape with the singer of Creed. Nugent stole a page from Woody Allen and married his adopted daughter. The bizarre thing is Romney openly courted for the endorsements of Kid Rock and Nugent. Only someone as uncool as Romney would think he is being hip by being endorsed by two rock stars on the downside of their careers.

"I'm looking very forward to a Republican being back in office," Jameson said at a San Francisco strip club on Thursday, CBS reports.

Her reason? "When you're rich, you want a Republican in office."

I have no problem with Jameson's answer. It's honest. She wants to keep her money. I much rather hear Jameson answer then GOP spin on how Romney's plan to increase military spending and the Bush tax cuts will magically make the deficit disappear. The math is nonsense. Jameson's math is she wants to keep as much of her money as she can. You may view it as self-serving. At least it isn't out in the fantasy land of Obama being a Kenyan socialist dictator.